Lecture 7 Flashcards
Who developed Schema Therapy, and from which therapy did it originate ?
Jeffrey Young, originating from Cognitive Therapy
Which additional therapy influences are integrated into Schema Therapy ?
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Experiential psychotherapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Attachment theory.
For which disorder does Schema Therapy have the most empirical support ?
BPD
What other disorders are gaining attention in Schema Therapy research ?
- Other PDs
- Autism + PD
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- PTSD & OCD
- Adolescents with disruptive behavior + PDs
What are Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) ?
Self-defeating emotional and cognitive patterns that begin in childhood and repeat throughout life
What leads to the development of EMS ?
Unmet core emotional needs in childhood due to toxic frustration, trauma, overprotection, or identification with significant others
What are the five schema domains ?
- Secure attachment to others
- Autonomy, competence & identity
- Freedom to express valid needs & emotions
- Spontaneity & play
- Realistic limits & self-control
How does emotional temperament interact with schemas ?
Temperament traits (e.g., anxious vs. calm, dysthymic vs. optimistic) interact with childhood experiences to shape schemas
What are the three mechanisms that maintain schemas ?
- Cognitive Distortion: Misinterpreting situations to reinforce the schema
- Self-Defeating Life Patterns: Unconsciously choosing situations that perpetuate schemas
- Maladaptive Coping Styles: Surrender, avoidance, and overcompensation
Give an example of maladaptive coping for an emotional deprivation schema
- Surrender: Choosing emotionally depriving partners
- Avoidance: Avoiding intimate relationships altogether
- Overcompensation: Becoming emotionally demanding in relationships
What is the goal of schema therapy ?
To reduce the intensity of memories, emotional impact, bodily sensations, and maladaptive cognitions linked to schemas
Does a schema ever fully disappear ?
No, but it becomes less frequently activated, less intense, and shorter in duration
What are the four types of schema modes ?
- Child Modes: Vulnerable child, angry child, impulsive child, happy child
- Dysfunctional Coping Modes: Surrender (compliant surrender), avoidance (detached protector), overcompensation (overcompensator)
- Dysfunctional Parent Modes: Punitive parent, demanding parent
- Healthy Adult Mode: Balances and nurtures
What two core emotional needs were added to Schema Theory ?
Self-coherence & Fairness
What three new EMSs were proposed based on these needs ?
- Lack of a coherent identity
- Lack of a meaningful world
- Unfairness
What are the key steps in schema assessment ?
- Identifying schemas
- Understanding childhood origins
- Educating about the schema model
- Recognizing schema coping styles and observing modes
What techniques are used in schema change ?
- Cognitive Techniques: Building a case against the schema, reviewing evidence
- Experiential Techniques: Emotional processing via imagery, role-play
- Behavioral Pattern Breaking: Practicing new, adaptive behaviors
- Therapeutic Relationship: Empathic confrontation, limited reparenting
Why is Schema Therapy relevant for older adults ?
It aligns with their expectations for structured, skill-enhancing, problem-focused therapy, especially after life review
What are adaptations for older adults in Schema Therapy ?
- More focus on life course perspective & positive schemas
- Linguistic adjustments (e.g., simpler language)
- More emphasis on relaxation techniques
- More repetition & evaluation
What is the challenge in treating personality disorders in older adults ?
Personality disorders are often under-treated due to a belief that they are untreatable in later life
-> Schema Therapy aims to challenge this view
